Review by Nickolas Cook
Some might find it strange to see a review for a soundtrack from a movie made back in 2006—and it wasn’t even a horror film, to boot. But this is one of the most beautifully composed collection of songs I’ve ever had the pleasure to hear, soundtrack or not. This album works even without the melancholic and elegantly shot film by master director Darren Aronofsky (the man responsible for two films that deserve honorary horror status for their darkly disturbing and twisted narratives, π (Pi) and REQUIEM FOR A DREAM).
Clint Mansell was the former lead singer of the legendary Brit alt/pop group Pop Will Eat Itself, until they disbanded and he began working with Aronofsky on his first film TT. His previous works have been heavy on electronica backgrounds, but with The Fountain, we find a more restrained use of such soundscapes, and the overwhelming sadness of the string parts are enough to bring tears to your eyes. Not to say there is no power inherent in these songs, because by the end of Death is the Road to Awe, you should be sitting upright and feeling a sensation of righteous energy and strength. This is an album that deserves some reevaluation by modern classical composers because it does what a lot of modern classical (?) music does not: it emotes and moves you.
Track Listing:
"The Last Man" - 6:09
"Holy Dread!" - 3:51
"Tree of Life" - 3:44
"Stay with Me" - 3:36
"Death Is a Disease" - 2:34
"Xibalba" - 5:22
"First Snow" - 3:08
"Finish It" - 4:25
"Death Is the Road to Awe" - 8:25
"Together We Will Live Forever" - 5:01
Visit Clint Mansell at: http://www.clintmansell.com/
--Nickolas Cook
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